The Black Horse Cavalry

9042008

The Black Horse Cavalry (or Troop) was actually one company of Confederate cavalry that eventually became Company H of the 4th Virginia Cavalry. The 4th VA was not finally organized until September, 1861, but the Black Horse Cavalry, made up of young men from the finest families of Fauquier County, was formed as a militia company in June of 1859. It became famous when it escorted John Brown to the gallows in December of that year, and by the time of First Bull Run their name had become to Confederate cavalry what Sherman’s Battery had become to Yankee artillery (see here), such that all rebel horsemen were referred to as the “The Black Horse Cavalry”. At First Bull Run, the company was attached to Lt. Col. T. T. Munford’s squadron of the 30th VA Cavalry (see his OR).

I have long labored under the impression that the unit received its name due to the fact that all its members rode black horses. But perhaps I’ve been shown the error of my ways in this unpublished manuscript of a roster of the Black Horse Cavalry, which includes a brief history, by Warrenton native and Black Horse authority Lynn Hopewell. I mention Mr. Hopewell’s background as a preemptive strike at those who will jerk the knee and assume that the book’s author is some South-hating Yankee bent on slandering the motives of the Confederacy and its supporters. The source for the story of the naming of the troop is William “Billy” Payne, one of its charter members as a private, Captain in command of the company at Bull Run, and eventually a Brigadier General (that’s him to the left, from the Generals and Brevets website) who recalled:

The purposes of the organization were well understood and the question was to give it a proper name. I well remember the conversations between Major Scott and myself. The first idea was that we were descendants of cavaliers. The company was to be a cavalry troop. I do remember that I called the Major’s attention to the fact that the first standard borne by our tribe, the Saxons, when they landed under Hengist and Horsa at Thanit, was the banner of the white horse. It was agreed therefore that a horse especially typical and representative of Virginia should be adopted. We were all extreme pro-slavery men, but the Major in addition, was in favor of opening the African slave trade and he suggested that the horse should be black, and hence the troop was named the Black Horse Troop.

As you can see in Mr. Hopewell’s pdf document, the footnote for this quote is blank. Mr. Hopewell unfortunately passed away in 2006. I’m thinking the quote may be from Confederate Veteran, which I don’t have on disk yet (though I should). If you know the source, help me out.

(UPDATE: I’m getting some help from members of the Civil War Discussion Group in finding the source for the quote, but as I do I’m also finding more questions. There will be a follow up post.)

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[…] how research has changed in the digital age. I was frankly surprised at the lack of reaction to this post on the Black Horse Cavalry I made a few days ago. You may not realize it, but what that post had […]

Hello Mr. Smeltzer, I recently came across a letter referring an ancestor of mine as being attached to JEB Stuart’s Black Horse Troop. He was cited for capture of 2 NY Calvary officers. He was also at the skirmish at Marsteller’s Place May 14th, 1863. This involved the NY 5th regiment cavalry and Michigan 6th Regiment Cavalry. His name was A.A. Marsteller. I am unable to locate his name on the Roster. There were several of his brothers who rode with Conferate Calvary. If you could give me any hints that may assist me , I would be most grateful. I grew up near Manassas Va. My ancestor’s Farm was near the Nokesville area. thank you, Asa

When you say you can’t find his name on “the roster”, to what roster are you referring? The Black Horse Troop was eventually a company in the 4th VA Cavalry. On this roster, there is a listing in the Black Horse Troop for Aclpfar Arell Marsteller. Beginning at the bottom of page 425 you’ll find his biographical sketch.

I am writing a book, highlighting my great great grandfather’s (Hiram (H.) Seymour Hall) exploits as a member of Co. G, 27th Regiment NY Volunteers. I would like to include the image “Black Horse Cavalry” that is above this article.

Can I have permission to use this image, or where can I find that image to use that is not too costly.

There were several Huntons that rode with the BH but Logan Hunton , whose war records indicate that he was transferred to the BH and then wounded in May of ’62 was not included in your roster. Can you shed any light on this.
Much appreciated……….RO

Dulce bellum inexpertis

“I am sending you these little incidents as I hear them well authenticated. They form, to the friends of the parties, part of the history of the glorious 21st. More anon.”

About

Hello! I’m Harry Smeltzer and welcome to Bull Runnings, where you'll find my digital history project on the First Battle of Bull Run which is organized under the Bull Run Resources section. I'll also post my thoughts on the processes behind the project and commentary on the campaign, but pretty much all things Civil War are fair game. You'll only find musings on my “real job” or my personal life when they relate to this project. My mother always told me "never discuss politics or religion in mixed company”, and that's sound advice where current events are concerned.

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This site is more than a blog. Bull Runnings also hosts digitized material pertaining to First Bull Run. In the Bull Run Resources link in the masthead and also listed below are links to Orders of Battle, After Action Reports, Official Correspondence, Biographical Sketches, Diaries, Letters, Memoirs, Newspaper Accounts and much, much more. Take some time to surf through the material. This is a work in process with no end in sight, so check back often!